State Police said Nechole Thomas, 26, of Houston, was driving a 2002 Mercedes C230 at a high rate of speed on the right shoulder of westbound elevated I-10 around 5:30 a.m. Monday and smashed into the back of a 2012 Nissan Altima that was stopped on the shoulder for unknown reasons.

Thomas was able to escape from her vehicle with minor injuries as both cars began burning. When the fire was extinguished, authorities discovered two occupants inside the Altima. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police said the identities of the two people killed in the accident have not been determined "due to the extent of the injuries.'' Autopsies are pending, State Police said.